The Invite. Movie Review

This movie is flawless, which surprised me. It gives you exactly what it says it will: a comedic film with a beautifully dramatic ending.

After the screening, I immediately wanted to see it again. What I’m saying is, don’t miss it. It’s the film we’ve been looking for. It’s not for kids; it’s not an action film, a crime thriller or a horror film. It’s made for mature individuals who want something we haven’t seen in a long time… something for us, with an adult theme. There’s an opening quote from Oscar Wilde. “One should always be in love. That is the reason one should never marry.” And then we watch as a couple, attempting to entertain another, possibly fall out of love.

Four people, basically in one room, speak to one another, sometimes shouting their opinions from a sharply written, perfectly put-together script, even as they speak over one another. It’s written by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, based on Spanish writer-director Cesc Gay’s 2020 film “The People Upstairs,” known also as “Sentimental,” which I now have to see. The film could have been a stage play, but as it is, it’s, luckily, available to you.

Rogan and Wilde play Joe and Angela. He is a failed musician, and she had ambitions of becoming a photographer. They live below Norton and Cruz, (who play Hawk, a retired firefighter and Piña a sexologist), in a San Fransico apartment Joe inherited from his parents. He’s uncomfortable about not being able to afford one himself. Both couples have something to say to one another, especially Rogan, who is deeply disturbed by Hawk and Piña’s lovemaking sessions. They wake him all through the night with certain sounds he’s curious about. Joe must know who the growler is. Angela hopes that their renovation isn’t bothering her upstairs neighbors and hopes this evening is an appropriate apology. Finding out that Joe forgot the wine now has her worried the night is starting off badly. That and the fact that the cheese and meats she set out on her charcuterie board can’t be eaten by Piña. She’s falling apart. They admit they don’t have guests often, something they didn’t need to mention. It’s obvious they don’t. The opening sequence is delicious. It’ll pull you in, and you will be excited about what’s to come. The score is marvelous. Certain scenes are made more intense as it beautifully builds in the background.

The director creates this story perfectly, allowing us to peek into windows, in a salacious way, giving things away that I won’t give away here. Wilde gives this cast a chance to prove they deserved to be in this extraordinary film, especially Rogan, who demonstrates he has grown up.

The ending connects you to the beginning of the film and to who the couple upstairs and downstairs are and it’s marvelous. I’ll say it again: you must see this perfect film.